This blog focuses on reviews of new and interesting beers, discussions of drinking related issues, the intersection of water, hops, malt and yeast, and it is dedicated to those who are enjoying beer one glass at a time.

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Lagunitas Hop Stoopid

So, it’s been a while since I posted, and I’ve been eager to get back to it. My schedule has been crazy for a few months (read: Work), but I think it’s settling down for a while and I’ve got a lot of new beers I’m excited to be drinking.

During a recent beer drinking day (yes, I think day drinking is fun), we were sitting around discussing the deep questions of existence, and in the middle of this existential rap session, one question was raised that deserved immediate analysis and resolution:

How do morbidly obese people wipe their asses?

Yes, I run with an intellectual crowd, as is obvious, so the analysis commenced. My immediate response was a memory of a Simpson’s episode where a rag on a stick was the tool for a quick cleanup. While the Simpsons is certainly realistic, we need to see actual confirmation of this assertion, so off to google image search. I was happy to find that should my life turn out differently, the Comfort Wipe will be there to save the day.

This is good news for the larger girthed members of our community, and if I could add, I think this is why the terrorists hate us. Ass Wipes for all!

Now, on to the beer...

The Beer

Beer characteristics

Quantitative parameters of beer character

The brewery put this Ale at a 102 IBU rating, which is damn high. On The Hitchens Taste Scale, but would put this closer to a +5. It is hoppy, but enjoyable.

The alcohol content is 8% Alc/Vol. A bit high, but not ridiculous.

I would put the color at about a 13 on the Lovibond scale, which is a beautiful golden color that is consistent with a double IPA.

Qualitative parameters of beer character

The aroma is very hoppy, as you might imagine, with citrus notes and a deeper caramel nose.

The flavor is bold. The deep flavor that you pick up in the nose is supported by the tongue. Also, when I’ve been trying these hoppy flavors, I’ve been noticing that it isn’t so much bitter, but a deeper flavor that isn’t off-putting in some beers, like this one. This flavor is deep and complex, and not a shock to the system.

Aftertaste doesn’t seem to last long. It rests in the back of your mouth and quietly walks away. I wish some people did.

The mouthfeel is not bright. It’s more subtle and drifts away quickly.

The carbonation is prevalent. The bubbles are tiny and the head sticks around for quite some time. The beer is clear enough to see a consistent stream coming up from the bottom of the glass.

I think the temperature should be cold, but a little warmer would be good as well. Outside on a hot day, this would really hit the spot.

Recommendation

I’ve quickly become a big fan of Lagunitas and this is another of their offerings that I’ve enjoyed and highly recommend. I think this is the last Lagunitas I have in the fridge, but I’ll be keeping an eye out for any new ones I find, and I’ll share it with you here!